In Jersey City I'd recommend Madame Claude and Marco and Pepe. I've occasionally experienced some uneven cooking at Madam Claude, but I like the unfussy feeling about the place. Marco and Pepe can be fine when it's not crowded, it's a more expensive. Tania's Polish restaurant is good and cheap. I'd also recommend Wild Fusion for mostly Thai, but with chinese and Japanese items on the menu, too. I like the Vietnamese restaurant in front of Miss Saigon on Newark (I think the bar behind it is Miss Saigon). But My husband doesn't care for it, so consider that one a split decision. Also don't forget to explore the "Little India" neighborhood if you like South Asian food. For Mexican, Cinco de Mayo or La Gloria de Mexico in the Heights. I always forget about it until I'm there, but the sandwiches and deserts in Kim's Underground near the Pavonia Path train stop look pretty good. There's a few places in Hoboken I like, also. If you feel like struggling to park.

thanks for the recs! now i have a little direction in my food exploration...i've been meaning to try tania's for a while. marco & pepe is a little beyond my means for now, but one day...i was pleasantly surprised by food at taqueria and big chef, and got some fine takeout from subya's. i'm also one of the few who likes beechwood.